The Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen tonight unanimously approved the permit for a Wilmington-based hot dog chain for North Lumina Avenue.
Before approving the permit for the Charlie Graingers franchise, the aldermen heard from a handful of residents who raised concerns about trash, pedestrian safety, noise and the cultural impact the business would have on the area.
The restaurant will occupy the 32 N. Lumina Ave. storefront now occupied by the Wrightsville Beach Art Company, whose owner said he would likely close the business in a matter of months. A few residents told the aldermen that the art studio was a business that better represented the Wrightsville Beach community.
However, the aldermen agreed that the board had no authority to interfere in private business transactions. The art studio, which is next to Roberts Grocery and leased from the owners of the building, was on a month-to-month lease, owner Jazz Undy said.
“We cannot interfere in the relationship between a landlord and a tenant,” Mayor Pro-Tem Daryle Mills said. “Charlie Graingers is the kind of business Wrightsville Beach wants to look for. It’s family oriented. It doesn’t serve alcohol.”
Mayor Bill Blair agreed, arguing that the board had to allow business owners “the chance to run their business.”
“We would like to see more of that on the beach,” Blair said, referring to the art studio. “But we can’t tell people what to do.”
Several residents raised concerns about the traffic on Birmingham Street, which is south of the business location. The street has no sidewalk on the streets north side and an intersection with difficult visibility, residents said.
The owner of the Charlie Graingers franchise said it was unclear when it would open for business, as it would depend on when the Wrightsville Beach Art Company leaves. While the owner said it was believed that the art studio would be given until March 2017, Undy said that it’s unlikely he would keep the studio through the winter when he couldn’t operate it in the summer. While he has the lease through October, he said he wasn’t sure if he would keep it open later or whether he would be able to open another studio in the area.
“I’m overwhelmed, emotionally,” Undy said after the vote. “I don’t want to leave the area. It’s sad that money is driving the decision. Wrightsville Beach can’t just be bars and restaurants.”
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